Prevention & Diversion Worker

For over 25 years, the YES Shelter for Youth and Families has provided shelter, education, and transitional supports in Peterborough. The Prevention and Diversion Worker supports clients by diverting them from homelessness and will promote youth homelessness prevention throughout the community. Working from an evidence-based approach, the Prevention and Diversion Worker will support clients with their housing goals, help them more effectively navigate community services, and connect them with pro‑social opportunities to improve housing outcomes.

The role involves a rewarding mix of direct client support and community capacity building work around homelessness prevention.

• Promote youth homelessness prevention throughout the community, a means to engage clients experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity (e.g., ongoing presentations with community groups to provide education on homelessness and prevention best practices).
• Promote and maintain a relationship with KPRDSB around a KPRDSB specific Prevention program in Peterborough City/County High Schools.
• Support clients diverted from shelter in connecting with programs, services and opportunities for stable housing by:
  • Helping individuals to identify their needs, goals, aspirations, skills and abilities as well as barriers to accessing services.
  • Providing individuals with general information, contacts, referrals and support as needed to build assets and address needs (e.g., housing, employment, education, health care and recreation; social and emotional issues).
  • Build partnerships with community agencies, businesses and informal community groups to offer programs that engage youth to develop their knowledge, skills and interests (e.g., arts and culture, volunteering, civic engagement, recreation, life skills).
  • Maintain collaborative working relationships with professionals within and outside of the organization.
  • Enter and maintain accurate statistical service data, and client contact notes in the designated databases.
  • Identify emerging issues, service gaps and opportunities for action to build community capacity.
  • Maintain qualified and evidence‑based standards of practice in accordance with the Stages of Change intervention model, a positive youth development framework and relevant legislation (e.g., Child and Family Services Act, Criminal Justice Act).
  • Carry out other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent and 2 years of related experience working with youth.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences and diverse needs, identities and cultural backgrounds of at‑risk youth.
• Experience in community development and capacity building.
• Knowledge of community resources for youth.
• Knowledge of family reconnection and the skills necessary to help clients re‑establish healthy relationships with those they identify as close to them.
• Demonstrated ability to work co‑operatively and negotiate effectively with a range of community groups and service providers across sectors.
• Experience working in homelessness, or homelessness prevention an asset.
• Proven ability to maintain accurate records of service and to produce program reports.
• Knowledge and skill in planning and delivering group programs and workshops.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and some weekends as needed.
• Ability to participate in YES’ On Call Supervisory Team.
• Certification
  
  Required:
  
  Standard First Aid/CPR, ASIST, NVCI or equivalent, WHMIS (or equivalent).
• Valid Driver’s License and Access to a Reliable Vehicle.

• Ability to positively interact with youth, using respectful communication and a strengths‑based approach.
• Understands/can articulate the program’s vision and mission.
• Interacts constructively and professionally with colleagues, clients, families, school personnel and others.
• Demonstrates knowledge of own culture, traditions and biases, and promotes inclusiveness by challenging unexamined assumptions and stereotypes.
• Demonstrates appreciation for and sensitivity to the diverse languages, cultures, traditions, family structures and perspectives of others.
• Resilience in job understanding, and awareness of how difficult the work can be, and how to keep oneself protected and attuned to one’s own needs.
• Accountability to one’s own actions.
• Professional integrity.
• Creativity.

YES offers a dynamic working environment, industry‑competitive wages and benefits, schedule flexibility, and opportunities to grow professionally with the agency while meaningfully applying your skills and values in service to disadvantaged youth and families.

The YES Shelter is enriched by the diversity of our client base and seeks staff that reflects this diversity. Specifically, please indicate if you identify as an individual with a disability, a member of the LGBTQ2S community, a visible minority or have Indigenous ancestry. We welcome your application.

Pay: $52, ,000.00 per year

Work Location:

In person